Fern Mc Costigan

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Is this a New Era at White Hart Lane?

Maybe, but for now this North London club has to settle down their excitement , after getting their one and only man at the helm and focus into the 2014-15 campaign.

As the former Southampton skipper and the man that really turned things around at Saint Mary’s as well made this club into a contender and assured its permanency at Premiership.

The Lilywhites have deposited all of their trust and confidence in Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino, who will have a not so easy challenge to turn things around in North London.

I mean, after his successful tenure as the Saints Manager very well lauded for giving the opportunity to new players among one of them English National team international Luke Shaw- currently being sought by several squads of the EPL.

This man did his work speak for him as well had his former squad among contention for the European positions as well looking like an all-around contender after restoring a lot of confidence in his players.

It’s something that the Spurs former Manager lacked at times as well couldn’t inject to this club that has one of England’s millionaire payrolls in its superstar lineup.

Is something that Chairman David Levy saw in this Andean skipper that his first order of business, will be in how to face his first task and challenge in the Europa UEFA Cup.

Very well aspire for the Barclay’s Shield with his current initial eleven filled with several superstar players in need of a good direction and more dynamic approach in their game.

That’s what the Hotspurs directives saw in the Andean as well try to quell a mutiny that in last campaign brought their abrupt elimination in the final rounds of the UEFA Cup.

For now Manager Pochettino will need to get the best of his top rated player Emmanuel Adebayor as well to adapt Roberto Soldado in his offensive scheme, will be among his top effort.

Still his main attributes that this man possesses is his work and serious identification with young players and Tottenham academy is filled with that youthful talent.

Something that can be repeated at his days in St. Mary’s when Luke Shaw, James Ward-Prowse, Calum Chambers and Sam Gallagher were entrusted in the starting lineup and really deliver for their Andean skipper.

At the end, it will be up to the Tottenham top bosses to assemble a contender in reference to Mr. Pochettino’s demands to make into this North London entity a contender for several shields in the upcoming campaigns.

Hail to Those Hard- Hitting Portland Timbers

Amazing is the word to describe those amazing Portland Timbers, after their win and one of a kind performance’s at Rio Tinto Stadium.

As their man at the helm is becoming a sort of Dr. Jekyll and with nothing to hide initial eleven that so far has responded to his demands.

Indeed, as positive results are in Manager Caleb Porter mind, very well seeking his perfect and ideal formation to front the remaining matches of what it seems a much contested league.

Porteball has begun drastically in a way, of making the necessary changes for the best, on their quest to making their push to the Western Division top five spots and assure a spot in the postseason.

Certainly looks like Caleb’s Bhoys are exorcising those ugly demons of Rio Tinto as well this campaign road blues are becoming a thing of the past as this squad is marching to the top.

Something really to acclaim is that this skipper moves have really paid off, in his defensive scheme with Jorge Villafaña, Rauwshan McKenzie and Danny O'Rourke- delivering with style.

Still big man in Argentinian Norberto Paparatto is adjusting slowly and committing less errors in the Timbers defensive side; soon the return from DL of Michael Harrington and Pa Modu Kah will make it very interesting as well Alvas Powell coming form his suspension.

I mean Manager Porter will have his options and lay his cards into the table in who will be his defensive four as well start a competivness among his chaps to fight for a starting position.

Nothing will be stopping the Rose City Bhoys, although last week’s lost in the Cascadia Derby was an unjust one and aided the visiting Caps, thanks to a couple of non-existent penalties, by those inept members of the referee corps that really lost control and reality of the match.

That was then and is now for the Portland Timbers, who will be suited up in their business as usual commitment to try and avenge their loss at Texas from a resurgent Dallas FC squad, as this event will be played at Providence Park.

Going back to that awesome and gigantic 3-1 victory over an archrival that has been a constant annoyance, many will say how sweet it is as well wonderfully planned by Manager Caleb Porter strategy.

Paying off at the end for the Portland chap’s that never gave up in the whole match, although being behind one goal, the men in green responded with three and a couple from newly incorporated Fanendo Adi, that along with Diego Valeri and Manager Porter were considered top MLS figures of the week, well done chaps!

If I Root, I Root for the Timbers!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

A Thrilling Cascadia Derby III

Those Whitecaps are playing one frantic and unbelievable football, as this Canadian squad came determined as a group of conquistadors looking to net an important win.

The always Premier Cascadia Derby was under way, in which the levels of excitement that these match always deliver at the end.

All for all is what these three squads are always seeking in each compromise they played each other as well looking at the final minute, for those indisputable bragging rights as the overall victor!

A one of a kind interstate rivalry between the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Portland Timbers, it’s what these two titans showed off in each match played.

With a fest of goals, these squads really fare well in the pitch as well gave the 20,000 plus in attendance- their money’s worth in a beautiful Rose City afternoon.

Along of the whole tone of a match, that never gave anyone a reason to yawn or became bored for its constant and spectacular plays between both squads.

For the Portland Timbers followers who couldn’t believe their eyes, after seeing their lead dwindle in the upcoming minutes with a couple of doubtful penalties.

Those made the whole difference in the match, as well stopped the Timbers cold in its tracks, after opening the initial score with a nice shot from their Argentinian striker Maxi Urruti.

Still the match wasn’t over with a frantic reaction of two goals from the home squad in its Andean sensation Gaston Fernandez and Captain Will Johnson that score a beauty of a goal thanks to a pass from newly incorporated Fanaendo Adi.

Unfortunately time ran out and the Caps scored an upset and claimed three points of gold and placed themselves in fourth place in the Western Division with 20 points.

Leaving the Portland Timbers tied with LA Galaxy and the San Jose Quakes with sixteen points each and a match to be play at always difficult Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium.

At the end this match leaves the Vancouver Whitecaps atop the Cascadia Cup overall standings with a couple of points ahead of Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders.

This is something that the Bhoys of Carl Robinson will be looking in defending their last campaign achievement in the Cascadia Cup along of keeping it at its halls in BC Place.

For now the Vancouver Whitecaps are looking like an all-around contender with their initial eleven and although they lacked a few players on international duty, still this squad can soar into new heights.

As for the Portland Timbers is time to start looking for new alternatives in its defensive side, because you cannot win matches or ambition a postseason spot with mistakes like the ones this club has been showing off all campaign.

Manager Caleb Porter time in experimenting reached abruptly a brick wall and has to look for new alternatives in his defensive side, that will give his club a possibility of making the league postseason.

Monday, June 2, 2014

An Opportune Win for the Shamrock Rovers

The Bhoys from Tallaght have a way of returning to their old playing ways as well keeping pace on the current leaders of the SEE Aitricity League.

As this match dubbed “The Clash of the Rovers” as well an SSE headliner, indeed, this turn up to be a one of a kind event, between these two titans.

By getting surpassed on first place by those hardened Lilywhite’s, the Hoops really have a mission to fulfill if they want to claim this edition of the SSE shield.

With a much contested campaign as well playing a not so friendly venue at the Showground’s, were the lads Managed by Ian Baraclough aren’t an easy prey to anyone!

And never go down without giving their foes a good fight, this afternoon wasn’t a lucky one for the Bit O’ Red.

Tell that to those Sligo chaps and star player Alan Keane that netted on his own goal the difference maker for these squads.

After all this win was an important one for the Dublin version of its Rovers, that earned three points of gold as well keep a close chase for the SSE top.

Still for Trevor Croly, being a one happy Hoops Manager, those 90 minute’s wasn’t an easy task for his chaps as well his defensive side that really went out its way to preserve its lone goal lead along what many considered as an important victory.

For now Croly’s chaps are behind the Dundalk squad by just four points and sitting pretty in third place well behind two points of the Cork City squad.

With upcoming compromises in the Ford Cup against Sheriff YC squad and then before the league break, the Rovers go against the unpredicted City chaps looking for a win as well get an important win at Tallaght Stadium.

Opportune, is the word to describe this group win, after all this keeps them on the hunt for the SSE top alongside seeking to advance to quarters in their next compromise in the FAI Ford Cup.

Increasingly we are seeing how this squad is looking forward to deliver a more successful campaign to its fans as well try to arrange a shield or two into its halls at Tallaght, as many described this squad old glory days.

A Proud Trevor Croly Showing off his Shamrock Rovers colors